The UK pork sector hit the headlines when Dutch food group Vion announced plans to exit the market. The sudden withdrawal of a major player highlights the challenges pork processors are grappling with, including rising input costs and tough pricing negotiations. Nevertheless, as the sector embarks on a process of consolidation and capacity is taken out of the category, the balance of power could be shifting down the pork supply chain. In part one of our two part Category Crunch, Katy Askew examines some of the issues facing the sector.

The UK pork sector is in a state of flux. Pig meat prices have been forced up by a number of factors - ranging from higher input costs to constricting supply and pending European animal welfare regulations. Cost increases are therefore being passed down the chain as retailers look to balance the need to secure supply against the pressure of operating in a constrained consumer environment. In part two of our Category Crunch, Katy Askew looks at the different strategies that pork processors are employing to grow revenues.

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Danish Crown is grappling with a world meat market marked by the Russian import ban and weaker European demand. In response, the Danish co-operative plans to use its global footprint, on the one hand, while capitalising on growth areas such as increasing consumer interest in organics, on the other. Katy Askew spoke to Henrik Biilmann, MD of Danish Crown's organic arm Friland, to find out more.

Tulip, the UK arm of pork giant Danish Crown, is most associated closely with its bacon products. However, over the past three years the group has evolved into a more broad-based food company. Jonathan Barbet, commercial manager at Tulip UK, talks to just-food about this development, the benefits that it brings and where Tulip sees future growth.

The new CEO of Denmark-based meat cooperative Danish Crown's troubled UK subsidiary, Tulip, has announced a major shake-up of the firm, just days after his appointment, to help Tulip regain its "mojo".

This week, in the US, Campbell Soup Co. announced it would back proposed plans for blanket GMO labelling in the country, while General Mills announced its second acquisition in recent weeks, this time of meat snacks firm Epic Provisions. The industry also reacted to the release of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Elsewhere, Ukraine hit back on a product embargo enforced by Russia, Danish Crown said jobs could be lost in the UK and we spoke to Urban Fresh Foods about its sale to Lotus Bakeries.

General Mills this week announced another acquisition, following up its move for Brazilian yoghurt maker before Christmas with a deal for US meat snacks firm Epic Provisions. Ahead of the holiday period, speculation emerged UK company 2 Sisters Food Group was seeing what interest there is in the market for its biscuits unit Fox's, although the talk was cooled this week. Elsewhere, Danone said it would end production at two plants in Russia, PepsiCo was upbeat about the prospects for Doritos in India and the US reacted to the release of the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Ahead of the climate talks in Paris, Unilever announced plans to be carbon positive from its operations by 2030. Elsewhere, there was more consolidation in the US food sector, with Pinnacle Foods moving for Boulder Brands. Tyson Foods, Post Holdings and Greencore all had annual results out in the week. Maple Leaf Foods outlined plans to "streamline" its business, which is set to lead to the loss of 400 staff. Here is the week in quotes.

TreeHouse Foods confirmed that it will acquire ConAgra's private brands business for US$2.7bn. Kellogg revealed further declines at its US cereal business. The Kraft Heinz Co. reported its first results as a combined group – and detailed further job cuts. Here are the highlights from just-food this week.

US poultry group Sanderson Farms posted higher half-year sales and profits, although there was some concern on Wall Street about the near-term outlook for the business. Barilla announced its results for 2014, which included an increase in revenue and earnings.